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February 12, 2024
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February 12, 2024
AP-Newswatch

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February 12, 2024

Israeli forces rescue 2 hostages in dramatic Gaza raid that killed at least 67 Palestinians

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli forces have rescued two hostages, storming a heavily guarded apartment in a densely packed town in the Gaza Strip and extracting them under fire and covering airstrikes. Local officials said the strikes killed at least 67 Palestinians. The plight of the hostages has profoundly shaken Israelis, and the rescue in Rafah briefly lifted the spirits of a nation still reeling from Hamas’ cross-border raid last year that started the war. Israel has described Rafah as the last remaining Hamas stronghold in the territory and signaled that its ground offensive may soon target the city. In Gaza, the operation unleashed another tragedy in a war that has killed 28,340 Palestinians in the territory, displaced over 80% of the population and set off a massive humanitarian crisis.

Egypt is threatening to void its decades-old peace treaty with Israel. What does that mean?

JERUSALEM (AP) — Egypt has threatened to void its decades-long peace treaty with Israel if it begins a large-scale offensive against Rafah, where some 1.4 million Palestinians are sheltering in densely packed tent camps on the border with Egypt. The landmark treaty took shape during the Camp David Accords, brokered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter. It was the first time an Arab country recognized Israel. If the treaty is nullified, it may have serious ramifications for Israel, which has relied since its signing on calm along its southern border.

Trump faces Monday deadline to ask the Supreme Court for a delay in his election interference trial

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump faces a Monday deadline to ask the Supreme Court to extend the delay in his trial on charges he plotted to overturn his 2020 election loss. His lawyers have indicated they will file an emergency appeal with the court, just four days after the justices heard Trump’s separate appeal to remain on the presidential ballot despite attempts to kick him off because of his efforts following his election loss in 2020. The filing would for now preserve a delay on what would be a landmark criminal trial of a former president. The Supreme Court’s decision on what to do, and how quickly it acts, could determine whether Trump stands trial in the case before the November election.

Will Biden and Trump face one another in presidential debates? There’s no commitment yet

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is challenging Joe Biden to debate. But he is also receiving calls to debate from his remaining primary opponent. Biden is laughing off Trump’s latest challenge. The exchange of jabs is putting into question whether any of them will face off in a debate this year. Biden’s reelection campaign has declined to commit to joining debates with Trump, his likely opponent in the November general election. Trump has previously objected to the rules of the nonpartisan commission that has hosted general election debates since 1976 and skipped all of the primary debates so far.

Mahomes, the Chiefs, Taylor Swift and a thrilling game — it all came together at the Super Bowl

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime in a Super Bowl unlike any other. Several topics will linger in the aftermath. Those include where this pulsating game ranks among the classics. And where the Chiefs rank among the game’s great dynasties. Then there’s Patrick Mahomes. The Kansas City quarterback’s resume might be even better than Tom Brady’s was when Brady was this age. Taylor Swift made this game even more memorable with her appearance to cheer on boyfriend Travis Kelce and the Chiefs. And the site was also unique. Las Vegas hosted for the first time.

What to know about a shooting at Joel Osteen’s megachurch in Texas during Sunday services

HOUSTON (AP) — A motive was unclear after a woman in a trenchcoat opened fire in celebrity pastor Joel Osteen’s megachurch in Texas. The shooting happened Sunday in between services at Lakewood Church, one of the nation’s largest megachurches. Police say two off-duty officers working security shot and killed the suspect, who was not immediately identified. Two other people were also shot an wounded, including a 5-year-old boy who entered the church with the shooter and was taken to a hospital in critical condition. The sound of gunfire sent worshippers rushing for safety. The church is big enough to hold around 16,000 people and is located in the former home of the NBA’s Houston Rockets.

Biden welcomes the King of Jordan as framework for hostage deal is decided in Israel-Hamas conflict

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is hosting Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Washington and the two leaders are expected to discuss the ongoing effort to free hostages in Gaza and growing concern over a possible Israeli military operation in the border city of Rafah. Monday’s meeting is the first between the allies since three American troops were killed last month in a drone strike against a U.S. base in Jordan. Biden blamed Iran-backed militias for the fatalities, the first for the U.S. after months of strikes by such groups against American forces across the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

Khan supporters and other Pakistani parties block highways to protest election results

QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — Thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan and members of other parties are blocking highways and striking to protest alleged rigging of last week’s election. Thursday’s vote to choose a new parliament was overshadowed by the vote-rigging allegations, a mobile phone shutdown and the exclusion of Khan. While election winners were celebrating victory, other parties refused to accept their defeats in dozens of constituencies. Candidates Khan backed won more seats than the parties who ousted him from power, but no party won a majority. The party led by three-time premier and ex-felon Nawaz Sharif secured second place. Sharif is in talks with allies to form a coalition government.

Poland’s Tusk heads to France, Germany to strengthen alliance as fears grow over Russia and Trump

PARIS (AP) — Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has vowed to “revitalize” his nation’s relations with its key European partners during a trip to Paris and Berlin. The tour comes as fears grow that former President Donald Trump could return to power in the United States and give Russia a free hand to expand its aggression in Europe. Trump shocked many in Europe over the weekend by inviting Russia to invade any NATO member not spending enough on its own defenses. The words were particularly shocking for front-line NATO countries like Poland, which has endured Russian control and occupation, and where anxieties run high over the war just across its eastern border in Ukraine.

Rio’s Carnival parade makes urgent plea to stop illegal mining in Indigenous lands

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Rio de Janeiro’s Salgueiro samba school has paid tribute to Brazil’s largest Indigenous group, the Yanomami, crafting its giant floats, costumes and songs based on the group’s ancient culture and traditions. Carnival has long been a platform for samba schools to protest and Salgueiro’s parade before the Sambadrome’s 70,000 revelers and millions more watching on live television drew attention to malaria, malnutrition, deforestation and other devastating effects brought by illegal mining inside Yanomami territory. Sunday’s parade comes as Brazil celebrates one year since President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declared a public health emergency for the Yanomami people.